Chapter 371 - 368: The Rich Rely on Technology, the Poor Rely on Mutation

As the discussion deepened, they had already discussed the issues of nicotine, ultraviolet radiation, and microplastics.

They had also proposed various solutions.

But what came next was the true focus of the meeting.

Regarding the ionizing radiation caused by radioactive materials and X-rays, they decided to first discuss the issue of X-rays.

Liu Zhifan pulled up internal data from the industrial department. "Currently, the fields that use X-rays the most are the industrial, medical, and security sectors. The industrial sector primarily uses X-rays for product inspection, and since the shielding is quite thorough, there's little cause for concern."

"The real harm to the human body comes from the X-ray equipment in the medical and security sectors. Of these, the devices used for security screenings are the most frequently used and require our focus."

Jiang Mingxuan thought for a moment. "For X-ray equipment used in security screenings, our company actually has alternative technologies."

He then listed various alternatives.

These included pheromone detectors, magnetic field detectors, passive infrared detectors, and metal sensors, as well as the more cutting-edge terahertz imaging technology.

Seeing the mention of terahertz imaging, Li Qingye asked, "Mingxuan, is the terahertz imaging technology ready for deployment?"

"Yes, Chairman. Institute 833 is using bio-nanostructured crystals to efficiently generate dense terahertz waves. Paired with highly sensitive biomaterials that react to these waves, the technology is now ready for large-scale application."

Jiang Mingxuan sent a summary of the specific terahertz imaging device to everyone.

After reviewing the summary, they were quite satisfied with the technology.

In terms of energy per unit of the waveband, terahertz waves have less than one-tenth the energy of X-rays, falling well short of the threshold for ionizing radiation.

Furthermore, the use of highly sensitive materials allows for shorter exposure times compared to X-rays, further reducing the total energy delivered.

Li Qingye immediately gave the order: "In that case, let's completely phase out the use of X-ray equipment in security and medical applications."

Liu Zhifan and Zhao Jingsi nodded.

Finally, the discussion moved to the tough nut of radioactive materials.

Chen Jianxiong, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up. "Regarding radioactive materials, the current situation is already extremely serious. This includes the twelve hydrogen bombs we previously detonated in the Kra Canal, which released a significant amount of radioactive material into the atmosphere and ocean."

A wave of awkwardness washed over the room.

Li Qingye, however, was unconcerned. 'Hydrogen bombs are a necessary strategic deterrent,' he thought. 'If you don't set one off, people will just think you're bluffing.'

Chen Jianxiong continued, "East Japan has decided to release Fukushima's nuclear wastewater into the Pacific Ocean this year. Additionally, America conducted sixty-seven nuclear tests in the Ratak Islands in the past. Part of the concrete containment structures there has severely deteriorated. If they aren't upgraded, the radioactive materials inside will leak."

Li Qingye's eyes narrowed slightly. "Jianxiong, what's the situation with the Ratak Islands and the West Caroline Islands?"

"Their attitude is very cooperative."

As for anyone who wasn't cooperative, Chen Jianxiong had already sent them a one-way ticket to Heaven.

Li Qingye smiled and instructed, "Handle matters in those two places as soon as you can. The Foreign Security Division should also be prepared."

"No problem," Chen Jianxiong replied, sitting bolt upright.

"Yes, sir," Mao Gu immediately saluted.

Li Qingye rubbed his temples. "I'm not thrilled about cleaning up America's mess, but we have to do it."

After all, the Luzon Islands are too close to the US Military Guam Base, which compromises the strategic security of the Homo Sapiens Company headquarters.

Li Qingye continued, "The key to the radioactive contamination problem lies in the water. I plan to use bio-accumulating seaweed, custom-bred varieties designed specifically to absorb elements like carbon-14, and then plant them around the islands."

"The Chairman's idea is to lower the concentration of radioactive materials in the seawater," Jiang Mingxuan instantly realized.

That was indeed Li Qingye's intention.

"My plan is to focus on cleaning up the heavily contaminated sources to establish a safe sea zone. At the same time, we will set up special absorption pools for all freshwater sources to reduce the radioactive content in our domestic drinking water and food."

Liu Zhifan considered this and realized that with Homo Sapiens Company's capabilities, the plan was feasible.

"That's achievable. Many of our Lightless Farms can be thoroughly decontaminated, starting with the nutrient solutions and cultivation soil, ensuring they are free of radioactive materials."

Qiu Yingle raised another question: "What about imported food?"

Liu Zhifan found this to be a major headache. "We can't just stop importing. It's one of our key levers for controlling the global economy."

Li Qingye waved his hand dismissively. "It's fine. We can engage in re-export trade. We'll perform secondary processing on the imported food and then sell it to West Asia, Africa, South Asia, the Far East, East Japan, and South Korea."

Li Qingye felt no guilt about this. 'After all, the entire world is already contaminated with radioactive material,' he reasoned. 'Even if Homo Sapiens Company doesn't sell to these regions, their daily food is contaminated anyway.'

The others mulled it over for a moment and agreed it was the best course of action.

The radiation-free food produced by Homo Sapiens Company would be supplied to its employees first, while the potentially contaminated food would be resold to other regions.

Besides, under current global food safety standards, such trace amounts of radioactive material were extremely difficult to detect and impossible to remove.

Take wheat, for example. The radioactive content in wheat from Lucia and the Yuzi Khanate was definitely higher than in wheat from South America and Southern Africa.

After all, the old Soviets had detonated a pile of nuclear bombs on their own territory back in the day. The radioactive fallout had long since drifted to neighboring regions, settling into the soil and water.

And while testing for such ultra-trace amounts of radioactive material was possible, the cost was exorbitant.

Especially for food products subject to sample testing, if detecting such trace amounts were mandatory, then grain from anywhere in the world would become unsellable.

The definition of a "trace amount" could be quite flexible at times.

According to the global food industry's current safety standards for radioactive content, the results from all testing instruments would indicate that the food was safe.

This included food produced in the Fukushima region of East Japan; by any standard other than Homo Sapiens Company's, its radioactive content was considered within the safe range.

The problem was that radioactive materials were not like ordinary chemical additives. Carbon-14, in particular, could enter cells and even chromosomes through the body's natural carbon cycle.

What was even more troubling was that the ionizing radiation from these materials could permanently damage the genes within cells.

Damage to a somatic cell wasn't a major concern, but if the damaged cell was a reproductive cell, it meant the genetic damage would be passed down to future generations.

The radiotoxicity from these materials, absorbed from everyday products and food, would accumulate in the body little by little.

Then, passed down through the genes of several generations, this genetic damage would also accumulate.

Cases of infertility, congenital deformities, and cancer were becoming increasingly common all over the world.

An unseen mass extinction event was, in fact, already playing out silently across Earth.

Right now, Li Qingye could only save the employees within Homo Sapiens Company. As for the rest of humanity, they would have to fend for themselves.

As for whether the other world powers were aware of this issue of human genetic damage, Li Qingye was absolutely certain they knew.

After all, related papers had been appearing in various academic journals since 2017.

'Do they really think the think tanks and intelligence agencies of those powers are just for show?' he scoffed internally. 'They've known all along. They just don't want to make it public.'

Now, the rest of humanity had only two choices: become an employee of Homo Sapiens Company, or pray for a natural mutation that would allow them to evolve new genes to adapt to radioactive materials, microplastics, and nicotine.

But the path of natural mutation was destined to be a cruel one; it was highly probable that 99 percent of humanity would not survive it.